A cargo vessel ran aground after towing its sister vessel that encountered engine trouble off the waters of Lobo, Batangas on Thursday, Sept. 16.
Based on the initial investigation of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the cargo vessel MV Seaborne Cargo 6 with 23 crew members on board departed from Manila for Iloilo. It was carrying 140 containers of assorted goods.
While underway, the vessel encountered engine trouble off the Verde Island, Batangas. The captain of the vessel immediately reported to their management and sought assistance.
The PCG said its sister vessel MV Seaborne Cargo 5, on board 22 crew members, was underway from Bohol bound for Manila directed to proceed to Verde Island to provide towing support.
The cargo vessel MV Seaborne Cargo 5 contained 1,620 heads of hogs and 113 heads of cattle.
The MV Seaborne Cargo 5 towed the MV Seaborne Cargo 6 to the anchorage area off Lobo Batangas for needed repairs, the PCG said.
While departing to proceed to its port of destination, the MV Seaborne Cargo 5 ran aground at 200 meters away from the shoreline of Barangay Masaguitsit, Lobo, Batangas.
The Coast Guard immediately dispatched its marine environmental protection unit to conduct hull inspection and assess marine environmental damages occur.
The marine environmental divers also conducted an oil spill assessment and yielded a negative result.
The PCG said the shipowner hired an accredited salvor company to extract the cargo vessel from the area and successfully moved to a safer portion.
The captains and shipowners of the vessels were advised to ensure strict compliance with safety standards to avoid future maritime incidents.
The PCG also instructed the vessels to file a marine protest to the Coast Guard Station Batangas.